Graeme is a Principal Advisor at NZ Transport Agency, with 45 years of experience in transport planning. That time has included developing techniques and applications in transport modelling to inform strategic planning and investment decision-making, developing strategic and tactical transport plans, and linking land use and transport system planning. His recent work has included economic appraisal techniques, processes and assurance practices. He has a particular interest in the end-to-end planning and investment system, including the role and practices of benefits management at the various stages of development of investment programmes

Dr Munir Shah is Principal Data Scientist at Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, where he leads advanced analytics and modelling initiatives to support evidence-based transport investment decisions. His work integrates AI, advanced modelling, and evidence-based evaluation to improve transport safety, environmental outcomes, and investment decision-making. With over fifteen years of experience spanning transportation, agriculture, and public-sector analytics, Munir has built cross-functional teams, delivered complex modelling programmes, and authored more than thirty peer-reviewed publications in AI and data science. He is a regular speaker at national and international forums on the future of AI-enabled transport systems and data-driven decision-making.

Ernest is an experienced Senior Reporting and Data Analyst at NZ Transport Agency, with over 15 years of expertise in transforming complex information into clear, actionable insights. Ernest supports data-driven decision-making that helps improve transport services and outcomes across New Zealand. He specialises in data analysis and visualisation, helping stakeholders uncover trends and make informed decisions.

John Falconer is a transport planner and modeller with 28 years experience. He has worked in local government and various private sector consultancies and is currently a Director of QTP ltd based in Christchurch. John often applies and maintains transport models and uses these to inform business cases, economic assessments, spatial plans and transportation research. Examples include Greater Christchurch Urban Development Strategy, Central City earthquake rebuild projects, Christchurch MRT business cases and research assessing induced road traffic demand in New Zealand. For the last two years, John has been working for NZTA to progress the Planning and Investment Evidence Base (PIE) project.

Liz Root is a seasoned sustainability specialist with over 19 years of experience, who has developed evidence-based resilience and carbon management frameworks on some of New Zealand’s largest projects, including City Rail Link, O Mahurangi Penlink, Papakura to Drury, Drury Rail Stations and Auckland Light Rail. These programmes have adopted the latest research in sustainability from around the world, tailored for the Aotearoa New Zealand context. As a sustainability specialist, Liz works across the project life cycle, from inception and design through construction to operations

Shane is Technical Director in road safety at Abley. He is based in Christchurch, New Zealand and has more than 35 years’ experience as a road safety specialist. He is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the University of Canterbury and a Fellow of Engineering NZ. Shane is co-chair of the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS) International Outreach Committee (IOC) and on the editorial board of the Road Safety Journal. He has worked on overseas projects in Australia, Indonesian, Tunisa, USA, Fiji, Brunei, and Canada. He has a strong interested in pedestrians, bicycle, and motorcycle safety. Shane’s experience includes crash investigation studies, safe system training, economic analysis, safety auditing, speed management, monitoring and evaluation and crash risk rating using strategic tools like iRAP and US Highways Safety Manual.

Adolf is chief economist at Infometrics. He has a PhD in economics and over 35 years of experience in economic consulting, specialising in mathematical economics, econometrics and economic modelling. He has undertaken public policy research in areas such as trade, transport, education, taxation, savings and retirement, energy and environment. His work has included general equilibrium analyses of changes in import protection, transport investment, genetic modification and carbon pricing; and econometric estimation of forecasting models in the areas of energy use, corporate credit risk and organisational structure. He has also developed microsimulation models of savings and the tertiary student loan scheme. Adolf was an Expert Reviewer for numerous IPCC Working Group II Assessment Reports. He is an Affiliate of Motu Economic and Public Policy Research.